Day 1 | Wed, April 23 - Depart USA - Italy
Depart for your overnight flights to Rome. Dinner and breakfast will be served on board transatlantic flight.

Day 2 | Thu, April 24 - Arrival in Rome – Welcome Mass at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls
Arrive in Rome and meet your tour escort outside of baggage claim. Transfer to the magnificent Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls for a Welcome Mass and a tour. (D)

Day 3 | Fri, April 25 - Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica This morning you will enjoy the magnificent Vatican Museums, with its hundreds of galleries showcasing art and relics donated as tributes of faith throughout the centuries. This guided tour will include the Tapestry Gallery, the Gallery of Maps, the Raphael Rooms, and the breathtaking Sistine Chapel. Afterward you will visit St. Peter's Basilica, built on the site where St. Peter was martyred. Marvel at Michelangelo’s magnificent Pieta and Bernini's amazing bronze canopy, and have time to pray at the tomb of Blessed Pope John Paul II. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B,D)

Day 4 | Sat, April 26 - Major Basilicas, Churches & Catacombs of Rome – St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran, Il Gesu, catacombs of St Callixtus
This morning you will begin with a visit to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, which contains a relic from the manger of the infant Jesus. You will have Mass in the magnificent Borghese Chapel and tour the largest church dedicated to the Virgin Mary before continuing on to the Basilica of St. John the Lateran, the Cathedral of Rome. It was here that Pope Francis was formally installed one year ago as the Bishop of Rome. Afterward you will cross the street to see the Sancta Scala (the Holy Stairs) which are the steps upon which Jesus walked when condemned to death at Pilate’s palace in Jerusalem. After time for lunch, you will visit the Chiesa Il Gesù (Church of the Gesù, the mother church of the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. Here you will see and have time to pray at the tomb of St. Ignatius. Walk to the nearby Trevi Fountain, and “toss three coins” before traveling out along the Appian Way to the catacombs of St Callixtus where the early Christians hid themselves to escape persecution. Along the way you will the famous Domino Quo Vadis Chapel, the ancient Baths of Caracalla, the Arch of Drusus and the tomb of Celilia Metella. Dinner and overnight in Rome. (B,D)

Day 5 | Sun, April 27 - Canonization Ceremony of Pope John Paul II & Pope John XXIII
Transfer to Vatican City for the Canonization Ceremony in St. Peter’s Square to be presided over by both Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Afternoon free to participate in the street festivities and celebrations. Dinner and overnight in Rome. (B,D)

Day 6 | Mon, April 28 - Full Day in Assisi
Following breakfast, you will depart for a day excursion to Assisi. You will have Mass and visit the Basilica of St. Francis which contains the tomb of St Francis and many of his relics, including the crucifix from which Jesus spoke to St Francis, asking him to rebuild His church. Visit the Basilica of St. Clare, foundress of the Order of Poor Clares, to see the saint's incorrupt body. Continue on to the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, built to enclose the tiny chapel, the rose bush, and the cave where the saint retired for prayer. You will have time to explore the quaint hilltop town, before returning to Rome for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Day 7 | Tue, April 29 - Manoppello
After breakfast, you will travel through the beautiful Italian Countryside to the historic town of Manoppello. Here you will celebrate Mass at the old Capuchin Monastery and see miraculous image of Christ's face on a veil, the "veronica" (true icon) in the Santuario del Volto Santo. The image shows a male face with long hair and a beard parted in bands. It is the only case in the world where the image is visible on both sides of the cloth; colors are very light, the eyes are turned upward and the pupils are completely open, even though irregular. Scientific tests, observations under ultraviolet light and under a microscope show no pigments and no paintings on the veil. You will enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before returning to Rome where you will have the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight in Rome (B,L)

Day 8 | Wed, April 30 - Papal Audience
This morning you will return to Vatican City to attend the weekly Papal Audience and Blessing given by His Holiness Pope Francis. The afternoon will be free to shop, re-visit a favorite sight, or just to sit in one of the outside cafes and watch the world go by. Enjoy a special Farewell Dinner tonight in Rome. (B,D)

Because of the high demand for this once-in-a-lifetime event, certain Booking Conditions and Special Terms & Conditions apply! For more information, or to register for one of these departures, please call us at (800)715-6670 or e-mail: Office@CatholicJourneys.com

CatholicJourneys.com strongly recommends that every traveler purchase optional travel insurance, which can provide a number of benefits including coverage for Trip Cancellation / Interruption and Medical Emergencies. Click here for more information.